I think that “peace on Earth” is just another way of saying anti-war, and anti-torture. It would be lovely to impeach President George W. Bush for destroying our peace on earth. My only surprise by this incident is that there is actually someone in the White house that can read.

— Vicki Deininger, Seattle

Don’t endorse hate

Your editorial, “[Seattle artist’s White House ornament in poor taste,” Opinion, Dec. 4] stated that the artist who made the offensive Christmas tree ornament for the White House was “known for her anti-war, anti-torture and feminist views. That should have alerted someone to check in with the artist—or to select someone else who might feel the Christmas spirit a little more acutely.”

That statement can be interpreted to imply that the Christmas spirit is pro-war, pro-torture and anti-feminist. While some people may agree, printing it in the paper is probably “in really poor taste.”

— William Weitkamp, Seattle

Quit defending the Bush administration

As an American citizen, I am outraged by the actions of the President George W. Bush administration. If any president ought to be impeached, it would be this one.

As a resident of Seattle and the 7th Congressional District, I heartily endorse the choice of this Christmas tree ornament.

As a lifelong reader of The Times, I take offense to the paper’s continuous support for this failed administration and its failed policies.

— Jeff Davies, Seattle

Stop the silliness

I certainly hope letter writer John Fuik is trying for irony when he complains about the Washington state ornament on the White House Christmas tree [“Well this won’t look good,” NW Voices, Dec. 3].

“What happened to separation of church and state?” he asks.

Indeed.

— Steve Kreiter, Seattle

Not always in good taste

Deborah Lawrence’s art is richly detailed, quirky and strongly opinionated, much like the artist herself. She made a lavish, beautiful ornament that on closer examination depicts her admiration for Washington state’s legacy of challenging the status quo, from the General Strike of 1919 to Congressman Jim McDermott’s resolve to impeach President George W. Bush.

Many people in the 7th Congressional District, this state and this nation would like to send a message to the current occupant of the White House that we don’t appreciate our lives, tax dollars and moral reputation being used for torture, war, environmental and economic disaster. Is that impolite?

Is torture in good taste? Lying to the American people? Sacrificing young people to the gods of war profiteering? I think not.

Like poet Sam Hamill in 2003, who publicly declined to participate in a White House literary event, Lawrence used a platform that was offered to her to express her disgust with the current administration. More recently, Judge Richard Sanders spoke out at a Federalist Society event when he could no longer tolerate the polite hypocrisy of Attorney General Michael Mukasey.

Neither 4Culture nor Congressman Jim McDermott is at fault in this case. A talented artist was recommended, not vetted for her political views.

There was a time when the national television stations and newspapers ran a daily death count during an equally unpopular war. Where is that accountability now? Where is the story on the amount of money Halliburton made this year? If the press will not speak out, the people must.

To paraphrase that sign somewhere in Wyoming near an Air Force base, “Please pardon our noise — it’s the sound of freedom.”

— Kathleen Alcalá, Bainbridge Island

Doesn’t even compare

I was amused at the indignation you expressed at Deborah Lawrence politicizing her Christmas ornament.

While her rather pointed political comment might be construed as “impolitic” and even mildly offensive, it pales in contrast to Bush Administration’s politicization of nearly every aspect of government, from the Department of Justice to the Iraq war, much to the detriment of our country.

Welcome to The Seattle Times' online letters to the editor, a sampling of readers' opinions. Join the conversation by commenting on these letters or send your own letter of up to 200 words letters@seattletimes.com.